“ain’t too proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations” strutted into the Ahmanson Theater, Friday night Dec. 16, 2022, to applause, shouts and whistles from the excited audience. Two hours later the crowd leapt to their feet in a thundering standing ovation for the deserving cast. In between was a nonstop parade of timeless hits and a night of knock out triple threat performances, by some of the best young artists working today. Now running through January 1, 2023, this is a must see show.
Expert direction by Des McAnuff gets us quickly into the story of The Temptations, their road to becoming the top R&B vocal group of the 60’s and 70’s, while touching on the highs and lows that go with giving your life over to your chosen art. The book by Dominique Morisseau gets right to the point, giving us just enough information to draw us in without belaboring any one aspect of their journey.
Jalen Harris and the National Touring Company of “ain’t too proud” – Photo by Emilio Madrid
The show runs the gauntlet of emotions from the euphoric high of their first number one hit, the evergreen “My Girl,” to tragedy and despair as felt through “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted.” Racism and personal trials, alcoholism, addiction and out of control egos are on full display but never at the expense of the music. There are more than 30 musical sequences and each one is choreographed within an inch of its life, by the brilliant, Sergio Trujillo and his associate, Edgar Godineaux. Deservedly Trujillo won a Tony Award for his work.
From the original Broadway cast, the outstanding Marcus Paul James plays group founder Otis Williams as a genuine guy committed to the group at the expense of his personal life. Rarely offstage James is a constant presence, perhaps emulating “The” Otis Williams as the indefatigable leader of The Temptations. Today at 81, the remarkable Williams still plays that role and is an Executive Producer of “ain’t too proud.”
L-R: Harrell Holmes Jr., Jalen Harris, Harris Matthew, Marcus Paul James, and James T. Lane from the National Touring Company of “ain’t too proud” – Photo by Emilio Madrid
Each and every performer is fully committed to their character from their first entrance to the final bows. Not only can they all sing anything put before them, but they can also dance like superstars. Energetic James T. Lane plays the doomed Paul Williams. Harrell Holmes Jr. is bass singer and nice guy Melvin Franklin. Charismatic Jalen Harris is the soulful Eddie Kendricks and Elijah Ahmad Lewis is the immensely talented but troubled David Ruffin. The able Brett Michael Lockley giving his all, all the time, plays an early member of the group, volatile, Al Bryant. Michael Andreus is focused as Berry Gordy and Joshua Morgan as the beleaguered manager, Shelly Berger, brings some humor and lightness to his role. These two were responsible for ushering The Temptations into the larger world and turning them into a crossover phenomenon.
Four women very capably play all the female parts including singer, Tammy Tyrell and the Supremes. They can act, sing and dance and they bring some needed balance to the show. They are, Shayla Brielle G., Najah Hetsberger, Traci Elaine Leem and Amber Mariah Talley.
L-R: Traci Elaine Lee, Deri’Andra Tucker, and Shayla Brielle G. from the National Touring Company of “ain’t too proud” – Photo by Emilio Madrid
In multiple roles Dwayne P. Mitchell and Devin Holloway are standouts. However it seems that there is not a cast member who could not blow your socks off with their singing and dancing abilities. In fact every time I thought, “This guy is the best,” another would catch my eye and change my allegiance. With this much talent onstage looking for “the best” is a futile quest.
Having so many iconic songs at his disposal, Director McAnuff and his creative team have done a masterful job of puzzling together the music with the book to allow the show to be much more than a jukebox musical. With songs like, “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “I Wish It Would Rain,” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” and a dream team of creative minds and great talent “ain’t too proud” leaves the jukebox behind and becomes a rhythm and blues opera. Go see it!
The National Touring Company of “Ain’t Too Proud” – Photo by Emilio Madrid
Lighting Design is by Howell Binkley, Scenic Design by Robert Brill and Costume Design by Paul Tazewell are all terrific. Sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy was muddy at the onset with some too loud vocals, but all evened out as the show progressed.
Keyboardist Jonathan “Smitti” Smith conducted the very able orchestra with fabulous arrangements by the always-wonderful Harold Wheeler.
The excellent actors and ensemble, filling many roles not mentioned above, were Gregory Carl Banks Jr., Reed Campbell, Lawrence Dandridge and Omar Madden.
For more information about this show and to purchase tickets, please visit the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre website.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: L-R: Harrell Holmes Jr., Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Jalen Harris, Marcus Paul James, and James T. Lane from the National Touring Company of “ain’t too proud” – Photo by Emilio Madrid.
